Chapter 32: The First Time Making Medicine

About five days have passed like this.

Lin Yuan, sitting at the accounting position, noticeably felt the number of herbs was extraordinary, several times more than usual. The half-unused pill furnaces now burned with red charcoal beneath them.

During this time, Miao He ignored Lin Yuan, leaving him to fend for himself.

In contrast, Gu Yongjin, though appearing cold, was warm-hearted and treated people well. Once, when a disciple assigned to chores improperly dried a batch of herbs, affecting their quality, Gu Yongjin, who was on duty that day, didn't punish him much since the herbs weren't valuable, merely giving a mild warning.

"Junior Brother Lin, it's almost time for the distribution of Qi-Blood Powder to the disciples assigned to chores. Renxin Hall needs to complete the refining tasks assigned by the academy in these few days. So, many herbs are in urgent demand," Gu Yongjin explained, noticing Lin Yuan's confusion.

"I see!" Lin Yuan smiled.

Gu Yongjin observed Lin Yuan's face and thought about his current predicament, wanting to give some advice. However, he shook his head and decided to wait for a few more days to bring it up.

The next day, Lin Yuan had just completed the accounting when three people arrived outside the hall, accompanied by Miao and Gu, bringing Ji Shengfang.

"Haha, Junior Brother Lin, how have you been?" Ji Shengfang's composed demeanor remained unchanged, carrying a hearty laugh.

"Senior Brother Ji, thanks to the care from you, Brother Miao, and Brother Gu, I have benefited greatly," Lin Yuan cupped his hands, "What's this about, Senior Brother?"

Lin Yuan secretly thought that Ji Shengfang was not the type to nurture others attentively, like an old farmer tirelessly tending to a crop.

"Brother, your progress in pharmacology is a comfort to me. I'm concerned I might arrange something poorly and delay your improvement," Ji Shengfang smiled, "It's precisely the time for refining Qi-Blood Powder these days, and Shen the Pharmacist is concerned, allowing Junior Brother to observe and learn. Such an opportunity, you should seize it well."

"We're also happy for you, Junior Brother, haha." After speaking, Ji Shengfang laughed, with Miao and Gu following suit.

"Junior Brother, please." Ji Shengfang gestured for Lin Yuan to follow.

Walking ahead, Ji Shengfang couldn't help feeling a bit proud.

No matter how Lin Yuan tries to make strides, he has no future in Renxin Hall. Whether it is Lin Yuan or any other disciple assigned to chores in Renxin Hall, they will never have the chance to learn medicine, unless Ji Shengfang becomes the revered Pharmacist Ji, which is impossible.

"Refining Qi-Blood Powder is definitely an opportunity, a chance to be seized firmly!!" Lin Yuan dismissed Ji Shengfang's petty thoughts, focusing on contemplating the method of refining the Qi-Blood Powder, determined to master the technique.

Suppressing his excited emotions, Lin Yuan walked briskly with Ji Shengfang, arriving with Miao, Gu, and other hall officers at Shen Huaining's grand pill-furnace hall. By now, a crowd of about twenty to thirty people had already gathered and were waiting.

The assisting disciples had prepared all the materials for refining the Qi-Blood Powder. Shen Huaining stood in front of the giant pill furnace, calming his breath.

A man-high round pill furnace with three legs and two ears, entirely black. Wisps of smoke floated from its mouth, and fragrant aromas continuously filled Lin Yuan's nostrils.

This was the long-anticipated refining scene.

Such a sight stirred excitement in Lin Yuan's heart.

He had overestimated his self-control.

"Finally, I have the opportunity to get so close to refining the medicine powder." Filled with excitement, Lin Yuan took a deep breath to suppress his excitement that surged from within his veins.

Calming down his restless heart, he watched as Ji Shengfang began counting the number of people present.

Ji Shengfang reported to Shen Huaining, "Pharmacist Shen, all disciples have arrived."

"Good." Shen Huaining nodded slightly, surveying the group before he spoke, "This month's Qi-Blood Powder refining involves a total of ten furnaces. You're familiar with the process. Let's not waste words; everything as usual. I will demonstrate the first furnace, and from the second to the tenth, you will assist."

"Those called, step forward."

"Ji Shengfang, Dong Weiyang...," Shen Huaining recited eight names before pausing, then said, "Lin Yuan."

As soon as Lin Yuan's name was mentioned, the crowd stirred, thoughts flashing through their minds.

"Why is there an extra person? Who is this Lin Yuan? Never heard of him before, yet he caught Pharmacist Shen's eye. Wonder what he's capable of."

"Oh, it's him? I heard he came through connections."

"This Lin Yuan doesn't know his place, wanting to compete with Senior Brother Ji for the position of assisting disciple. Doesn't he realize his own limits? A joke."

Lin Yuan ignored the crowd's whispers and stood with the first eight, unwavering in his gaze.

Seeing the nine stand firm, Shen Huaining smoothed his beard, his face serious.

"In alchemy, focus and calm are crucial. One must be precise about the properties of the ingredients and the control of the flame. Any small mistake can ruin a batch of pills, so be careful."

"Watch closely. First furnace, open the furnace." Shen Huaining grabbed a bag of herbs with both hands and threw them into the already heated furnace, then used a nearby hoist to control the large ladle, stirring the contents.

As he continuously added herbs, the aroma intensified, filling the air with a refreshing scent, invigorating Lin Yuan, his Qi-Blood surging vigorously.

Time passed slowly, and the first batch of herbs was gradually all added to the furnace.

"Now is the critical time for forming the medicine, requiring control of the fire. The alchemy technique now plays a decisive role."

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Shen Huaining employed some unknown technique, his palms seemingly unfazed by the furnace's heat, constantly slapping its surface, producing metallic ringing sounds.

With each tremor of the furnace, the herbal fragrance grew richer and more pervasive.

The slapping continued rhythmically, like a musical performance with its highs and lows.

Gradually, Shen Huaining slowed his pace.

"Coagulate!"

With a variety of techniques, Shen Huaining suddenly drew back and slapped his palms against the furnace.

In Lin Yuan's eyes, a burst of purple-red flame shot up from the furnace mouth. He only felt waves of hot air, and in an instant, the herbal aroma was entirely consumed by the flame, the fragrance of the Qi-Blood Powder along with it, vanished.

After the flame flashed and disappeared, the charcoal extinguished.

"Sheng Fang, retrieve the medicine." Having successfully completed the refinement, Shen Huaining's face was flushed, and he exhaled slightly, instructing Ji Shengfang to extract the Qi-Blood Powder from the furnace.

Hearing his name, Ji Shengfang felt pleased. The position of assisting with herbs was firmly his. Amidst envious gazes, he carefully scooped a spoonful, then tasted it, closing his eyes to savor it.

"Pharmacist Shen, the powder is ready, of excellent quality, your alchemical technique has improved further." Ji Shengfang then gazed at Shen Huaining with admiration, flattering him.

"Good!" Shen Huaining was pleased as well.

He had refined the Qi-Blood Powder thousands of times and was recently striving to achieve alchemy, aiming to become a formal Alchemist. As his alchemy technique improved, so did the quality of the Qi-Blood Powder, swelling him with pride.

"Next furnace, Sheng Fang, prepare the herbs." Shen Huaining seized the moment to instruct Sheng Fang to assist with the herbs for the next batch, and then began the second batch.

Unlike the others' complete focus, while Shen Huaining was refining the second batch, Lin Yuan's mind was elsewhere—particularly in the Nine-Chapter Space.